BERKELEY – After two runs in the top of the sixth inning put visiting Arizona ahead, the Cal baseball team knew an immediate response probably offered the best chance to end up on top by game's end.
 
That course of action suited the Bears just fine as Ripken Reyes tied the game with an RBI single, Andrew Vaughn belted a three-run home run and Cal went on to score 11 runs in its final three at-bats en route to a 16-6 victory that clinched a series win over the Wildcats at Evans Diamond.
 
Offense became the name of the game in the third inning as Arizona scored four runs in the top of the inning to take the lead. Cal (28-19, 13-13 Pac-12) had its answer waiting as the Bears loaded the bases and Jonah Davis continued his monster season with a monster swing of the bat, driving a grand slam nearly over the scoreboard in left-center field to bring Cal within one. Two batters later, Max Flower crushed his first home run of the season to left, giving the Bears a 5-4 lead.
 
Arizona (29-19, 10-13) took the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth but Cal again had the answer it needed. Flower and Cameron Eden each singled to start the inning and Reyes cashed in on the chance, tying the game with a sharp single to right field.
 
After a strikeout brought out No. 2, Arizona turned to closer Tylor Megill to pitch to Vaughn. After running the count to 2-2, Vaughn got the fastball he was looking for and blasted his 22^nd home run of the season, putting Cal ahead 9-6. The homer pulls Vaughn into a tie with Troy Penix for second on Cal's single-season home run list and leaves him only one off the record of 23 set by Xavier Nady in 1999.
 
"I think we're slowing it down, settling it down and taking it one game at a time," Vaughn said of Cal's offensive fireworks. "We're not getting ahead of ourselves and banging the ball the way we know how."
 
Cal's big sixth inning opened the floodgates for more offense to follow. Flower drove in a run with an RBI single in the seventh and the Bears added six more in the eighth with RBI singles by Vaughn and Sam Wezniak, three runs scoring on errors and Reyes adding another RBI single.
 
While Cal was doing its damage at the plate, Arman Sabouri was busy turning in another outstanding relief performance on the mound. The left-hander entered in relief of starter Jared Horn in the fifth inning and never gave the ball back to head coach Mike Neu as he struck out seven, didn't walk anyone and allowed just two runs over the final five innings to improve to 4-2.
 
"We knew we needed some guys to step up," head coach Mike Neu said. "(Tanner) Dodson throws three innings yesterday and our bullpen has been up and down at times this year so for him to come out and have that performance when we needed it the most says a lot about his development, his ability to understand the situation, know how important it is and rise to the occasion."
 
A total team effort at the plate resulted in 15 hits for the Bears on the evening. Vaughn, Flower and Reyes led the charge with three apiece while Tyrus Greene and Davis each had two.
 
"We know how good (Vaughn) is and it's tough for him because they're trying to pitch him tough every single time. But, in a huge situation like that, he came through," Neu said. "That was such a big part of the game. It gave us some separation and gave us a chance to put our foot on the gas. The rest of the guys did a great job too. It was a huge team effort. Guys really didn't let up. We got behind at one point and Sabouri pitched great and the other guys came through offensively. It was a full team effort."
 
Cal and Arizona meet once more on Sunday to wrap up their weekend series with a 1:15 p.m. first pitch. Aaron Shortridge will make the start for Cal and Arizona has not yet announced a starter. The Bears will hold their annual Senior Day ceremonies before the game as six upperclassmen – Andrew Buckley, Kevin Flemer, Matt Ladrech, Erik Martinez and Zayne Patino – are honored for their contributions to Cal Baseball.